U.S. general lost job after rudeness, excessive drinking in Russia

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- An Air Force general lost his command of the U.S. ballistic missile force after investigators found he acted inappropriately during an official trip to Moscow.

Members of a seven-person delegation said Lt. Gene. Michael J. Carey was rude and drank excessively during a two-day training exercise in Russia in July, said a report by the Inspector General.

The 42-page report was completed in October and released to the public Thursday under a Freedom of Information Act request filed by journalists.

At the time, Carey was commander of the 20th Air Force, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the nation's intercontinental ballistic missile force.

Members of the delegation interviewed during the investigation recounted several episodes in which Carey consumed a number of alcoholic beverages and fraternized with suspicious foreign women.

The evening the team arrived in Moscow, witnesses said Carey and another member of the delegation had drinks at their hotel and later went to the rooftop bar of the Ritz Carlton where they met two women who said they worked for an executive travel service. They drank and danced with the women until the early morning hours.

Carey was described as "rude" during a briefing the following morning.

At a luncheon banquet, he "drank more than most of the other participants," one witness said, and talked about how he had met "two hot women" the night before. During a tour of a monastery later, witnesses said Carey's speech was slurred and that he continually interrupted the tour guide. At dinner, witnesses told investigators Carey consumed alcohol and "kept trying to get the band to let him play with them."

He also left the group and sat with the two women from the night before.

The second day, Carey reportedly exhibited behavior similar to the day before. During the morning's briefing, witnesses said he interrupted the speaker and corrected the Russian translator.

Investigators concluded Carey's behavior "exceeded the limits of accepted standards of good conduct and proper behavior."

Carey was fired from his job in October, the Washington Post reported. He received a "letter of counseling" and has since been assigned as a special assistant to the commander of the Air Force Space Command.

He retained his rank and does not face any other discipline, Air Force officials said.

United Press International is a leading provider of news, photos and information to millions of readers around the globe via UPI.com and its licensing services.

With a history of reliable reporting dating back to 1907, today's UPI is a credible source for the most important stories of the day, continually updated - a one-stop site for U.S. and world news, as well as entertainment, trends, science, health and stunning photography. UPI also provides insightful reports on key topics of geopolitical importance, including energy and security.